TEXARKANA, Texas – U.S. Attorney John M. Bales and Bowie County District Attorney Jerry Rochelle announced today the culmination of “Operation M-Pact,” a two-year joint federal and state investigation into individuals responsible for mid- and high-level trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine through the Eastern District of Texas as well as to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. The investigated individuals were responsible for trafficking and distributing more than 250 kilograms of methamphetamine through the I-30 corridor, to Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and beyond. Those being prosecuted include:

This case is the result of an extensive two year joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, Texarkana, Texas Police Department, and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the police departments of Texarkana, Arkansas; Mt. Pleasant, Texas; Nacogdoches, Texas; Ashdown, Arkansas; the Miller and Little River County (Arkansas) and Bowie County (Texas) Sheriff’s Offices; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas; the District Attorney’s Offices of Bowie County, Texas, Anderson County, Texas, and Little River County, Arkansas. During the course of this operation, agents have successfully arrested approximately 50 individuals and seized approximately 23 pounds of methamphetamine, over 3 pounds of cocaine, large amounts of marijuana, more than $50,000 in U.S. currency, 31 vehicles (recovering 6 stolen vehicles), 45 firearms (recovering 3 stolen firearms), more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and 7 properties with an estimated value of over $400,000.

The investigation has led to additional arrests in the Northern District of Texas (Dallas area), including more than 16 additional defendants and the seizure of more than 2 kilograms of methamphetamine.

“Today’s announcement signals the dismantlement of a destructive criminal enterprise,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Diego Rodriguez. “The cooperation and coordination amongst local, state and federal law enforcement agencies resulted in the shared success of removing significant social and criminal threats to the community.” These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Locker and Mary Ann Cozby and Bowie County District Attorney Jerry Rochelle.

The defendant Roderick Thurman is currently a fugitive from justice. We ask that anyone with information regarding his whereabouts contact the U.S. Marshals Service in Texarkana at (903) 793-8782.